Seven individuals in a malign influence group tied to Russian intelligence have been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a Treasury Department news release said.
“The sanctions imposed today shine a light on Russia’s ongoing covert efforts to destabilize democratic nations,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson in the news release. “Russia’s attempted influence operations exploit the concerns of the citizens of these countries, to destabilize legitimately elected governments for Moscow’s own interests. The United States remains committed, along with the EU, to target individuals who engage in such activities against the government of Moldova.”
The sanctions are part of a continuous effort to counter Russia's negative influence on democracy in Moldova.
Yuriy Igorevich Gudilin, Olga Yurievna Grak and Leonid Mikhailovich Gonin were sanctioned by OFAC on Oct. 26, 2022, for their concerted efforts in 2020 and 2021 to sway the results of Moldova's elections, the Treasury Department said. In addition, on May 30, the European Union imposed sanctions on several Russian and Moldovan citizens who had participated in operations intended to undermine the Moldovan government. "The U.S. government will continue to support the Moldovan government and people in their efforts to combat coercive activities that undermine democracy in Moldova," the news release said.
"The malign influence actors OFAC designated today are part of a large global information operation connected to the Russian Federation that targets Ukraine, countries bordering Ukraine including Moldova, Balkan countries, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States," the release said.
These individuals targeted these countries by spearheading organizations that held anti-government protests, rallies, marches and demonstrations to exploit fears of their governments.
